George Allan
One element of the Cairngorm and Glenmore Strategy, which was launched in 2016, is the development of a 'Cairngorm Mountain Masterplan', overall responsibility for which falls to Natural Retreats, the current managers of the ski area. NEMT assumed that this would be a comprehensive plan including Natural Retreat's ideas for developments, how these relate to, and potentially impact on, other aspects of the Cairngorm and Glenmore Strategy, along with proposals regarding how the environment will be protected. NEMT also hoped that such a plan would be subject to a full public consultation, given the sensitivities surrounding the area. A long term vision for the mountain is overdue: the economic viability of the area needs to be addressed within the broader context.
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Apparently consideration had also been given to a 'mountain boardwalk' from the Ptarmigan along the top of the funicular tunnel and to the development of mountain biking, but these appear to have been shelved, at least for now. Criticism, in addition to concerns about the lack of consultation, wasn't long in coming. Many consider that the artificial snow slopes will be little used and will certainly not bring the company the financial benefits it hopes for. In addition, the proposed material for the artificial ski slope comes in green or white, either of which would be highly visible at certain times of the year. The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) is on record as expressing concerns that the design and colours will have 'a significant impact on the landscape character' and will have negative visual impacts for visitors, along with the artificial slope involving a 'loss of habitat', including the destruction of emerging trees. The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency has noted potential detrimental impacts on groundwater dependent terrestrial ecosystems. These concerns suggest that no meaningful consultation took place between HIE/Natural Retreats and other public bodies before making the 'agreement' public. At the time of writing, no planning application has been submitted but Natural Retreats does appear to intend to pursue these plans.
NEMT wrote to Grant Moir, Chief Executive of the CNPA, expressing concerns that no proper long term plan for Cairngorm has been forthcoming. It is heartening to note that Grant Moir's response includes the statement that 'the CNPA wishes to see a longer term set of proposals for the Mountain and has made this clear to Natural Retreats and HIE'. In the light of this, NEMT hopes that no planning application will be presented before a proper strategy for the north side of Cairngorm is published and put out for public consultation. Our letter is as follows -
Dear Grant,
Lack of a Master Plan for Cairngorm Mountain
I am writing on behalf of the North East Mountain Trust (NEMT) to express concern that specific plans are being produced for developments within the ski area in the absence of the promised Master Plan for Cairngorm Mountain.
NEMT was represented at the useful meeting which was organised with the relevant voluntary bodies in June 2016 to discuss the draft Cairngorm and Glenmore Strategy. We gained the impression that a proper Master Plan would be produced and we assumed that any planning applications would then follow its publication. From what has been made public by HIE and Natural Retreats, and has been gleaned from FoI requests, it appears that planning applications from Natural Retreats for certain developments are imminent. However, there is no sign of a Master Plan.While Natural Retreats might reasonably be the prime mover in a Master Plan, it should be developed in conjunction with all the members of the Cairngorm and Glenmore Partnership who should own it jointly. Such a plan should not simply present Natural Retreats' proposed developments but should also include how activities on the mountain relate to the themes described in the Cairngorm and Glenmore Strategy and should include detailed plans to clean up the ski area through the removal of obsolete buildings, debris and little used tracks. The Master Plan should test proposals for developments against their environmental impacts, this being the touchstone of all activities in the National Park. In addition, without a Master Plan, there is a risk that a drip feed of planning applications will be presented without the Park Planning Committee being able to judge these within the overall context of what the future of the mountain should be.
We think that the Park Authority has a responsibility to ensure that all parties get this right. We would like to see the Park acting with the other members of the Partnership to produce a proper Master Plan and, in the meantime, advising HIE and Natural Retreats that consideration of any planning applications for developments on the mountain will be postponed until after such a Master Plan has been made public.
We hope you will take this forward and I look forward to your views on what we are suggesting.
Yours Sincerely
Dave Windle
Copy of reply received back from Grant Moir:
Dear Dave,
Lack of a Master Plan for Cairngorm Mountain
Thank you for your letter of 2nd June 2017. As you know Natural Retreats have sought pre-application advice from the CNPA (and others) on potential proposals for Cairngorm Mountain. This advice has been provided but at this time no formal application has been received by Highland Council for the CNPA to "call-in".
I understand your position about the need to know the context for any application and a greater public understanding of the direction of travel at Cairngorm Mountain. The CNPA wishes to see a longer term set of proposals for the Mountain and has made this clear to Natural Retreats and HIE.
The CNPA is happy to work with HIE and Natural Retreats to develop this long term plan which will sit within wider Cairngorm and Glenmore Strategy and have made this position clear to both organisations. The CNPA Board is also taking a keen interest in getting a long term resolution to the management of Cairngorm Mountain.
The CNPA wants to see a well-run facility at Cairngorm Mountain that takes care of its surrounding environment and an approach that sets out a long term plan for the future.
All the best
Grant Moir
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